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Saturday, June 28, 2008

Tiny Talent Time

Here is the show that is great
For those of you who are small
So watch right now and you will see
A show we know will please you all
All the cameras lights and microphones
Are set for tiny talent to shine
So Bill Lawrence won't you introduce us please
To the guests on Tiny Talent Time.

In the late 70s and early 80s, I worshiped at the altar of Tiny Talent Time. At exactly 3:59, every Sunday afternoon, I could be found racing to the television set, channel 11 (CHCH) on my mind. It didn't matter what I was doing before, it had to stop and give way to the powers that be. It just had to be.

In case you didn't grow up in Ontario (or thereabouts), Tiny Talent Time (1957-1992) was a live-action talent show for children, hosted by beloved weatherman, Bill Lawrence. Youngsters would sing, dance, play piano or showcase any other discernible talent for the viewing and studio audience. Lawrence without fail would ask his young charges: "what do you want to be when you grow up?" and "if I could snap my fingers what would you wish for?” I always loved how that snap, echoed through the microphone.

The theme song for the show is haunting for me. It takes me back to moments I've forgotten. I wanted so badly to perform on the show. I'm not sure for what exactly (I had no discernible talent), but I wanted to dance, sing, play the piano (even though I couldn't), wear bright lipstick with feathers in my hair etc. It just seemed like good fun.

Video Clip
Thankfully, someone uploaded a brief clip on YouTube. The Tiny Talent Time portion of this video (which is a short documentary on the Canadian Idol phenomenon) begins at 3:51 and continues for a minute. Short but sweet.

44 comments:

I knew a couple of people that were on Tiny Talent Time. I believe they played the accordion. Good times. Do you remember the Oopsy the Clown show? I think it was called Big Top Talent? Very similar to Tiny Talent Time.

In Sept/97, I organized and hosted a reunion of Tiny Talent Time. It was held at the Royal Connaught Hotel in Hamilton. Bill Lawrence, Carol Thomas (the audition lady), Steve Dunn, (the producer),and many Tiny Talent Time performers who are not tiny anymore attended. You can see the CBC clip of the reunion on my website: www.barryshainbaum.com, click on Media Room, then Tiny Talent Time Reunion. It can also be seen on Youtube and Google videos. This is the end of the show.........

This is the end of our showWe are sorry that we have to goHum hmmm hummhmmhmAll the cameras, lights and microphones.Will be set for tiny talent to shineSo won't you watch for our return againOn our next tiny talent time.

This is the end of our show, we touch the stars for awhile. But dreams must end as we know. With tears or a smile. Our dreams at last have all come true..thanks to you and you and you...never had such fun before...wish that we had time for more! This is the end of our show, that's all there is tonight, we want our friends all to know, it's been a delight. So now before the curtains fall, we'd like to say to one and all...good night...good health....god bless you. (This might be it)

Big Al's talent showcase was the bargain basement version. The Friendly Giant, Chez Helen, Mr. Dress Up’s Tickle Trunk, Uncle Billy (?) (that magician and that freaky crochet puppet that would drop down from no where) HP Puff n' Stuff, The Banana Spitz (v. weird to watch even now, Glimpses of The Al Sullivan show, Lawrence Welk when there was really nothing on. Cartoon Play house and the Magical adventures of Pinocchio, Hercules, Ray Harryhausen films, Professor Ketzel's time machine (?) double Dutch, skipping songs (I still remember them) collecting wooden fruit baskets for charity drives at school, battling tops, halloween and plastic red riding hood costumes, walking to school by yourself at 6. "Ca-na-da, it's great to be Canadian, We Love the, now we are 20 million". That's Incredible, Little house, The bionic Man, Gilligans island, The Mod Squad, Room 222, Get Smart. Glimpses of the Comander Tom Show "You could win a million just by spending 10" "I love my Saturdays, I call my friends who move away, when I dial myself, thant's not all, 2/3 off most every call..." Wear a moustache “This is the end of our show, we are sorry that we have to go….”

Actually the first dog was named Hamish but he died. There was a contest among children to decide who the 2nd dog's name would be and the children came up with Peaches. How do I know this? I was the pianist on that show!

My earlier comment - Pirie is NOW a minister. Nice guy. My memory of the show is varied. Some kids would come on and say tell me the song they planned to sing and I had to accompany them. Only they had no music and all I had to go on was their singing (if I didn't know the song!). They're singing sometimes was a monotone. I'm sure the results sometimes were surreal. Also - kids liked to lip-synch to popular. The very first show a little girl - maybe 8 - did a lip synch to Tammy Wynette's "That D-I-V-O-R-C-E" - you know it? "That D-I-V-O-R-C-E becomes final today. - Me and little J-O-E are going away. I love you both and this is H-E-double L for me. Oh I wish that I could stop this D-I-V-O-R-C-E."A startling bit of reality TV before the term was invented.

I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to come up with accompanying music for the kids' songs. And all the performances you've seen. I don't believe I've seen that show myself but I would've loved to! Especially for that little girl lip synching to Tammy Wynette (and yes I do indeed know that song). OMG that must have made you chuckle. :) I did watch another talent show from London (I believe) back then, called Big Top Talent and it was hosted by Oopsy the Clown. Loved that show. :)

You're right it was reality tv before the term was invented (as we know it now) but it was more honest and raw and less contrived than today. I do miss those kinds of shows. I looked up Junior Talent Hour and Pirie Mitchell and found this pic:https://www.facebook.com/963930266965527/photos/a.966223960069491.1073741828.963930266965527/1181186331906585/?type=3&permPage=1

My sister Jennifer Aucoin was on Tiny Talent Time in/around 1982... anyone out there have a home copy of any of that years shows? Our family didn't have a video recording device yet but I know they were starting to become popular around that time... I'm hoping that maybe someone else out there may have a tape of it... not sure what the air date was.. she was wearing a white fluffy dress with red polka dots and I believe her routine was a tap dance to the song 'chirpy chirpy cheep cheep'? Would love to get a copy for our family. I think it would be cool if everyone who had any recordings from the original runs would share them, we could probably make our own archive of the show... even if CHCH didn't save them... I know it would bring great joy to a lot of people to be able to share their moments of fame.

Amanda, that's a fantastic idea. I'll re-post your comment and let's hope someone out there has a copy of your sister's performance—which by the way sounded adorable! We didn't have a VCR back then either, unfortunately. But I watched Tiny Talent Time religiously.

I was on Tiny Talent Time around 1980, I was with a group called The Beaverton majorettes I'd love to see that episode, I've tried researching on the web, but no luck, I'm wondering if anyone out there has a copy?

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